DA concerned over tender corruption

The DA national leadership said it was concerned over a lack of accountability in the Tshwane metro, with it being administration with no council members in place to serve as tender “watchdogs”.

This as reports of Covid-19 corruption tender continue to emerge across the country.

During a virtual briefing on Thursday, DA interim leader John Steenhuisen said they were particularly concerned over accountability over the country’s capital city under the administration.

Until the legal battles settle over the administration of Tshwane, the council cannot probe into tender processes.

Steenhuisen said this was “problematic” should there be “malice” in finances with possible fraudulent tenders assigned while the council is out of action.

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“With no council, the metro has no one to check on the management including tenders and contracts issued by the metro.”

Steenhuisen said the DA was ready to face the ANC head on this Monday at the Supreme Court of Appeals over the administration of Tshwane.

This after the Gauteng high court judgement finding the Tshwane administration invalid back in April.

“We expect the same findings as that of the high court. The metro was wrongly placed under administration and was nothing but a political power grab. Most importantly, this court hearing will be important for the independence of the municipality to operate without the unwarranted influence of provincial government,” he said.

“It will also be important over the progression of democracy.”

Steenhuisen described the Tshwane administration leadership as “chaotic” with service delivery in “crisis” as the metro discussions with unions hit a deadlock.

“It has become very clear over the last few months that the capital city of South Africa is collapsing.”

DA mayoral candidate Randall Williams said the administrators would leave the metro “facing financial woes as there was no Covid-19 recovery financial budget”.

Williams also bashed the administration team over possible “political position” appointments.

“The fact that they are now attempting to make appointments on a six-month basis is a total abuse of power. One of these positions is advertised as a private secretary to the head administrator with an attached salary of about R1.3-million per annum (about R80 000 per month).

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“This is an outrageous waste of taxpayers’ money and a slap in the face of Tshwane residents, many of whom are facing financial difficulties. It is a disgrace.”

The Tshwane head administrator, however, bashed the DA’s claims over the metro being “chaotic”.

Nawa said the administration team was “doing its work”.

“We are busy resolving challenges that the metro faced before the administration.”

On accountability, Nawa said they were checked by the said the provincial government monthly on the decisions they make.